Namib Desert

　　The Namib Desert is a desert in western Namibia, situated within Africa's largest national park — the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Covering an area of 50,000 square kilometers, it stretches along Namibia’s 1,600-kilometer Atlantic coastline, with a width ranging from 50 to 160 kilometers. Parts of southwestern Angola also belong to the Namib Desert. This region is considered the oldest desert in the world, having maintained arid and semi-arid conditions for at least 80 million years. Air flowing from the Atlantic to this area becomes dry and cools as it passes over the cold Benguela Current, then sinks, contributing to the desert climate.

　　Some rare species of flora and fauna are found only in this desert. One such plant is the Welwitschia mirabilis, which resembles a shrub but grows only two long, strap-like leaves in its lifetime — these leaves can reach several meters in length. Although most of the desert is uninhabited and difficult to access, there are settlements near Sesriem, close to the famous Sossusvlei and its vast dune sea. Some dunes exceed 300 meters in height, including the tallest dunes in the world. The complex and regular patterns of the dunes make them a subject of study for geologists. Visitors can reach the Namib Desert by small plane from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, Swakopmund, or Walvis Bay, or via gravel roads.

　　Namib Desert Reason to visit: The world’s oldest desert Continent: Africa Country/Region: Namibia Province/State: Hardap Region